no title

U.S. foreign aid critical, misunderstood

Letters Policy

The Dispatch welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Typed letters of 200 words or
fewer are preferred; all might be edited. Each letter must include name, home address and daytime
phone number.
Dispatch.com also posts letters that don't make it to print in
The Dispatch.

I recently traveled with several dozen faith leaders to talk to members of Congress about one of
the best investments our government makes. We’re witnessing the greatest improvement in child
survival and health in human history, thanks in large part to U.S. foreign aid.

This year, 6 million fewer children than in 1990 will die before age 5. Deadly diseases —
pneumonia, measles, AIDS, tetanus, TB and more — are being stopped at record levels. Polio is
nearly eradicated.

I was gratified to meet with attentive staff from the offices of House Speaker John Boehner and
Sen. Rob Portman. Members of Congress know U.S. foreign aid is terribly misunderstood. A recent
poll shows most Americans think it’s 28 percent of the federal budget — it’s only 1 percent, and is
effective in the area of public health.

We know foreign aid works. Faith-based development organizations are among the experienced U.S.
government front-line partners. We witness daily success and privately raise billions of dollars
that leverage federal funds and increase child survival around the world.

Ohio churches are deeply involved. For example, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
Northwest Ohio Synod, has paired with the Dodoma Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Tanzania to respond to economic and humanitarian needs. The United Methodist Church, West Ohio
Conference, works on an “Imagine No Malaria” campaign in sub-Saharan Africa.

But the private sector cannot do it alone. I went to Washington because it’s vital that Congress
understand that our government’s influence, funding and leadership, alongside other countries,
remains indispensable in achieving success.

As budget decisions continue on Capitol Hill, our faith voices are important. We must remind
Congress that we are a country blessed with many gifts. Among those is compassion in the face of
dire need: About 18,000 children still die every day, mostly from preventable diseases.

We must robustly fund programs that support international humanitarian and development
assistance. Our voices must rise in support of all God’s children.